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Kansas Mission of Mercy Project

The Next KMOM will be Feb. 20-21, 2009 at the Manhattan National Guard Armory

The Kansas Mission of Mercy (KMOM) project is an oral health initiative where volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and community volunteers provide free dental care to the public. The three KMOM projects held to date in Garden City, Kansas City, and Pittsburg have treated 6,550 patients and provided $2.22 million in free dental care. Patients are treated on a first come-first served basis after first receiving a health screen prior to a dental assessment. Based on dental needs, patients are given a choice of receiving a dental cleaning, restorative care (fillings, root canals, etc.) or tooth extraction.

For more information:

Contact the Kansas Dental Association at 785-272-7360

Videos:

Kansas Mission of Mercy, Garden CityThe first KMOM was held February 28-March 2, 2003 in Garden City. In all, 1,734 patients received dental care totaling $554,000 in Garden City. There were 81 dentists, 51 dental hygienists, 85 dental assistants and approximately 150 community volunteers who served free meals, provided translator services, set up chairs, assisted with crowd control, etc.

Kansas Mission of Mercy - Kansas Speedway - Kansas City, KansasKMOM-KC was held at the Kansas Speedway, August 22-24, 2003, using the pit garages and fan pavilion on the racetrack's infields to set up the dental clinic. The Kansas Speedway was chosen because it can accommodate the large crowds and had excellent access and crowd control. The size and scope of KMOM-KC greatly exceeded that of Garden City as the size of the clinic consisted of 84 dental operatories and delivered free care to 2,659 patients valued at $758,500 . Volunteers in Kansas City totaled nearly 900 with 200 dentists, 170 dental hygienists, 120 dental assistants and another 400 from the community.
The third Kansas Mission of Mercy project was on the Campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. A commitment from 144 dentists and 65 dental hygienists, and 156 dental assistants participating in the 2-½ day event provided dental care to 2,160 patients with an estimated value of $981,500 . The group included the hard work and commitment of some 864 people including: dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, community, and medical volunteers.

The Kansas Dental Association plans to hold two KMOM projects annually in other locations in the state.